Telescopic multi-mast system

Abstract

A telescopic multi-mast system includes a plurality of telescopic masts, each of the telescopic masts having a plurality of telescopic mast sections. The telescopic multi-mast system also includes a drive mechanism for extending and retracting the telescopic masts. The telescopic, multi-mast system further includes a plurality of stabilisers disposed over the telescopic masts and connected to the mast sections of the telescopic masts to cancel angular deflection of the telescopic masts.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A telescopic multi-mast system comprising:
 a plurality of telescopic masts, each of said telescopic masts comprising a plurality of telescopic mast sections;   a drive mechanism for extending end retracting said telescopic masts; and   a plurality of stabilisers disposed over said telescopic masts and connected to said mast sections of said telescopic masts to cancel angular deflection of said telescopic masts.   
     
     
         2 . A telescopic multi-mast system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein one of said stabilisers is disposed at a top of one of said telescopic mast sections. 
     
     
         3 . A telescopic multi-mast system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein each of said stabilisers include a plurality of apertures to allow said telescopic mouses to extend therethrough. 
     
     
         4 . A telescopic multi-mast system as set forth in  claim 1  including a plurality of fasteners to fasten said stabilisers to said telescopic masts. 
     
     
         5 . A telescopic multi-mast system as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said fasteners comprise screws to fasten said stabilizers to said mast sections of said telescopic masts near an upper portion thereof. 
     
     
         6 . A telescopic multi-mast system as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said screws extend through said stabilisers and threadably engage a wail of said mast sections. 
     
     
         7 . A telescopic multi-mast system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said stabilisers are generally planar plates. 
     
     
         8 . A telescopic multi-mast system as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said plates have a central aperture and a plurality of mast apertures spaced from said central aperture to receive said telescopic masts. 
     
     
         9 . A telescopic multi-mast system as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said plates are orientated generally perpendicular to said telescopic masts. 
     
     
         10 . A telescopic multi-mast system comprising:
 a plurality of telescopic masts, each of said telescopic masts comprising a plurality of telescopic mast sections;   a mounting mechanism to rigidly attach a first one of safe telescopic mast sections of each of said telescopic masts to a support surface;   a drive mechanism for extending and retracting said telescopic mast sections of each of said telescopic masts; and   a plurality of stabilizers disposed over said telescopic masts and connected to said what sections of said telescopic masts to cancel angular deflection and resist lateral deflection or said telescopic masts.   
     
     
         11 . A telescopic multi-mast system as set forth in  claim 10  wherein one of said stabilisers is disposed at a top of one of said telescopic mast sections. 
     
     
         12 . A telescopic multi-mast system as set forth in  claim 10  wherein each of said stabilizers include a plurality of apertures to allow said telescopic masts to extend therethrough. 
     
     
         13 . A telescopic multi-mast system as set forth in  claim 10  including a plurality of fasteners to fasten said stabilisers to said telescopic masts. 
     
     
         14 . A telescopic multi-mast system as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said fasteners comprise screws to fasten said stabilizers to said mast sections near an upper portion thereof. 
     
     
         15 . A telescopic multi-mast system as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said stabilizers are generally planar plates. 
     
     
         16 . A telescopic multi-mast system as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said plates have a central aperture and a plurality of mast apertures spaced from said central aperture to receive said telescopic masts. 
     
     
         17 . A telescopic multi-mast system comprising;
 a plurality of telescopic masts, each of said telescopic masts comprising a plurality of telescopic mast sections;   a plurality of stabilizers, one of said stabilisers at a top of one of said telescopic mast sections, wherein each of said stabilizers includes a plurality of apertures to allow said telescopic masts to extend therethrough; and   a plurality of fasteners to fasten said stabilizers to said telescopic masts.   
     
     
         18 . A telescopic multi-mast system as set forth in  claim 17  wherein said fasteners comprise screws to fasten said stabilisers to said mast sections near an upper portion thereof. 
     
     
         19 . A telescopic multi-mast system as set forth in  claim 18  wherein said mast sections are made of aluminum. 
     
     
         20 . A telescopic multi-mast system as set forth in  claim 19  wherein said stabilizers are made of steel.